General Description:

Anthotium is a small genus of four named species of perennial herbs (two other unnamed species are listed in the Australian Plant Census). They all occur naturally only in the south-west of Western Australia in heath and woodland. The genus is closely related to Lechenaultia.

Anthotium rubriflorum is an herbaceous species growing to about 15 cm high and producing a number of tufted stems from its rootstock. The leaves are lanceolate to spathulate (spoon-shaped), entire or slightly toothed and up to 8 cm long and to 6 mm wide. The red flowers occur in clusters on stalks up to 16 cm long and usually appear during spring through to summer. 

This species does not appear to be cultivated to a great extent but should be suited to drier areas. The lack of availability of propagating material limits its potential for wider cultivation. It would require soils with good drainage and a sunny or lightly shaded position. The plant has excellent potential as a container plant.

Propagation is best from cuttings which should strike readily from firm, current season’s growth. Little is known about seed propagation.

For further information on Anthotium see ‘Anthotium’ – Notes on the Genus, family Goodeniaceae in the December 1999 issue of Australian Plants